Half-Square Triangle Quilt Planner for a Field of HSTs

An HST quilt planner should layout hundreds of triangles into a finished size, not only teach how to sew one unit. Quiltler repeats the block on a quilt and keeps yardage on screen. Design is free; one saved quilt and two fabrics.

People search half-square triangle quilt planner when the quilt *is* HSTs: pinwheels, fields, chevrons. Quiltler is that layout job in the studio. How to cut one unit is the half-square triangle guide and the half-square triangle calculator. Drafting a custom unit is make your own quilt block. This page is the quilt, not the Wikipedia of HSTs.

What this page actually plans

Quiltler desktop quilt design studio: setting quilt size and block grid, then placing blocks and fabrics on the canvas
The studio keeps finished size visible while you add blocks, sashing and borders.

Layout, then the 2-at-a-time chart

Decide 50×65 or 90×95. Decide finished HST size (often 3, 4 or 6 inches). The calculator tells you the square to cut. The studio tells you how many HSTs the field needs, plus sashing if you add it. Do those in that order and you will not cut 400 of the wrong size.

Pinwheels are four HSTs. A whole pinwheel quilt is still this planner plus quilt block designer if you stamp a pinwheel.

One saved quilt for the HST field you will sew. Decide 3-, 4- or 6-inch finished units against the throw or queen, then cut squares from the HST calculator. Two-at-a-time methods waste less; eight-at-a-time is a different square. Foundation paper piecing is optional for tiny points, not required for a sofa field of HSTs.

The Quiltler companion app on iPhone with a quilt open on the design canvas
Yardage on the canvas follows pieces. Binding and backing in the pack are subscription.

HST versus QST versus geese

Quarter-square triangles (hourglasses) are the quarter-square triangle calculator. Flying geese are flying geese quilt planner. Do not mix the cut charts.

Colour: two prints plus a solid is a classic HST quilt. How to choose quilt colors. High contrast HSTs read from across the room; low contrast HSTs look like texture. Prove both on the canvas with the two photographed fabrics you actually own before you cut four hundred squares.

Yardage

HSTs waste triangles if you pair squares. The calculator accounts for method (two, four, eight at a time). The studio counts the pieces on the quilt. They should agree within rounding.

Write the finished inches down, then open the matching backing, binding or batting answer if that size has one. Those pages do not replace the canvas: they cover the rectangle jobs. The pieced top is still counted in the studio. If one unit needs foundation paper piecing, the pack can print sheets after you subscribe; a nine-patch field does not. Keep the free limit in mind: one saved quilt and two photographed fabrics, plus solids, is enough to prove the plan before you cut a stack the shop will not take back.

Open the studio, stamp or pair HSTs across a throw, and keep the HST calculator open for the cut square.

Around this job

HST Quilt Planner FAQ

Is this the same as the HST calculator?

No. The calculator is one unit. This page is a quilt of units.

Can I design an HST quilt for free?

Yes — two fabrics is a natural HST limit.

Do I need FPP for HSTs?

Usually not. FPP is for units that need printed foundations.

What finished HST size should I pick?

Whatever divides your quilt. 4-inch finished is a common workhorse.

Plan the HST quilt in the studio

Set the field. Repeat the unit. Cut squares from the calculator, not from hope.

Open the studio

Free to start · one saved quilt · two fabrics